Teacher retirement could cost more, happen later, under proposal

Sen. Bob Duncan, R-Lubbock, met with Senate Democrats Thursday morning to try to pick up votes for legislation that would increase the contribution that Texas teachers have to pay into their retirement from 6.4 to 7.7 percent and also delay the minimum retirement age for new teachers for to 62.

Clay Robison, communications director for the Texas State Teachers Association, said that Duncan proposed the bill out of concerns for the soundness of the Teacher Retirement System, but said his solution asks too much of teachers.

“It asks too much of active teachers and does too little for retired ones,” said Duncan. “The state is not stepping up and doing what it needs to do to increase its contribution.”

Robison said his organization favors the recommendation of an actuary for the TR, who proposed that the state government increase its contribution from 6.9 percent to 7.4 percent in the next biennium. That would cost the state $300 million to $375 million in the next budget cycle, he said. He also said his group would not oppose an increase in contribution, if it was phased in over several years.

The retirement age for teachers who have not vested five years in the TRS would rise from 60 to 62 under Duncan’s proposal.

TSTA president Rita Haecker noted that the bill would not give some 200,000 retirees a cost of living adjustment for the 12th straight year.

“This bill would hit Texas teachers in the pocketbook, when they already feel disrespected by the state after enduring budget cuts, layoffs and classroom time lost to high-stakes standardized tests,” Haecker said.

“This proposal could drive more teachers from the profession – simply because the state will not step up and do its part to guarantee the soundness of their retirements,” she added.